Texas Governor Ross S. Sterling:

An Inventory of Records at the Texas State Archives,
1924-1933
(bulk
1931-1933)

Types of records are
correspondence, application files, financial records, clippings, reports, and
related records dating from 1924 to 1933 (bulk 1931 to 1933). Materials are
from Ross Sterling's term as governor of Texas from January 20, 1931 to January
17, 1933. A large number of files relate to oil and martial law in East Texas,
Texas Rangers, the prison system, cotton, and extraditions.

Ross Shaw Sterling served as governor of Texas from January 20, 1931
to January 17, 1933. Sterling was born February 11, 1875 in Anahuac, Chambers
County, Texas. He grew up on a farm and, after little formal education, began
working as a clerk at the age of twelve. At the age of 21 he started his own
merchandising business, and in 1911 he organized the Humble Oil Company. In
addition to oil, Sterling was also involved in a railroad, a newspaper,
banking, and real estate in the Houston area, and was an active member of the
Houston Port Commission. He served as chair of the Texas Highway Commission
under Governor Dan Moody.

Sterling defeated former governor Miriam Ferguson and several other
candidates in the 1930 race for governor. When Sterling took office, the worst
effects of the Depression were beginning to appear in the state. Appropriations
exceeded revenues, and Sterling had to veto funding for education and other
programs. During Sterling's term in office, the East Texas oil fields
experienced rapid and uncontrolled development. The Railroad Commission
attempted proration, but the courts struck the plan down. Because of the
chaotic situation, Sterling declared martial law in four counties for six
months. National Guard troops were sent to the oil fields to limit waste and
control production. This action was later declared unwarranted by the federal
district court and the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Railroad Commission's plan
for proration was accepted. Cotton prices also suffered during Sterling's term
in office. Governor Sterling was defeated by Miriam Ferguson in his attempt at
re-election in 1932. Ross Sterling died on March 25, 1949.

Types of records are correspondence, application files, financial
records, clippings, reports, and related records dating from 1924 to 1933 (bulk
1931 to 1933). Materials are from Ross Sterling's term as governor of Texas. A
large number of files relate to oil and martial law in East Texas, Texas
Rangers, and the prison system. Other records include applications and
appointments for government positions, requests and recommendations for
extradition and pardons for criminals, and service station reports for 1931
from around the United States. Correspondence regarding legislation covers
banking, cotton, education, highways, insurance, and the judiciary.

Arrangement of the Records

Restrictions on Access

None.

Restrictions on Use

Most records created by Texas state agencies are not copyrighted and
may be freely used in any way. State records also include materials received
by, not created by, state agencies. Copyright remains with the creator. The
researcher is responsible for complying with U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17
U.S.C.).

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information
Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the
Records Management Division of the Texas State Library in 1961. Several files
were discovered while processing the records of Governors Allred and O'Daniel
and were given an accession number for purposes of control on July 2, 2004.